Re: Excision advice

You might get more responses if you use the current Message Board, as many people don't know about this old board.

Anyway, I can sympathize with your frustration at having multiple abcesses, drainings, marsups, etc. I was in the same boat. So I jumped at the chance of having the gland removed when it was finally given to me. I thought 'ok, I am going to finally be rid of this after 12 years'. The surgery itself took 2 hours, I went to the hospital in the morning and came home in the afternoon. The pain was 'off the wall' for the first couple days or so. They gave me Percocet, which worked pretty well but made me dopey. I was told to not sit for two weeks (to prevent ripping the stitches), and no sex, no douches, no tampons for 3 months. And laxatives were a must because I couldn't poop because I couldn't push, so I lost about 10 pounds, which was good. I was really off-my feet for 2 weeks, but was better after that. I have a couple places where I have no feeling 'down there', due to nerves being cut and I have some decreased lubrication since one of my glands is gone. But if your doctor believes he can get the 'whole gland' out, then I would say go for it. Yes, there is pain and inconvenience, but it is worth it if it works. Unfortunately, my doctor did not get all the gland, so my abcesses have been back for about a year. Would I do it again, thinking it was a final cure....absolutely. Just make sure your doctor can get it all. If not, find another doctor who can. Good luck to you.